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By signing former MVP Rose, Wolves coach taking a gamble on his guy

Former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Derrick Rose is a career 29.7 percent 3-point shooter. He spent this season with Cleveland and Utah. David Richard / USA TODAY Sports

MINNEAPOLIS -- Signing Derrick Rose was never going to be a popular decision.

But Tom Thibodeau, the Minnesota Timberwolves coach and president of basketball operations, pulled the trigger anyway. On Thursday morning, Minnesota announced the signing of Rose, who will be with the team through the remainder of the season.

“We just thought he could help the team,” Thibodeau said. “That’s what our expectations are. Come in, be a good teammate and try to help us win.”

The move sparked a swarm of negative reactions on social media.

Rose doesn’t provide much outside shooting, one of Minnesota’s biggest needs, he’s bound to take at least a few minutes away from Apple Valley native Tyus Jones and many people have questions about Rose’s character.

Rose went on trial in civil court for sexual assault back in 2016, and was found not liable via a unanimous verdict. In Cleveland this season, Rose stepped away from the Cavaliers for nearly two weeks while dealing with a personal issue.

Yet when asked if he felt the need to do due diligence on Rose’s recent issues, Thibodeau was steadfast in his support for the veteran point guard.

“I know who Derrick is,” Thibodeau said. “I know who he is. I spent a lot of time with him.”

Thibodeau coached Rose for five seasons in Chicago, guiding the point guard to an MVP season in 2010-11 — their first campaign together. Thibodeau probably knows Rose as well as anyone in the league. He’s seen the point guard at his best, and seems confident enough that Rose can help this Timberwolves team down the stretch that determined the match was worth a try.

It’s up to Rose to prove Thibodeau right. The point guard has been out of the league for the last month after he was traded by Cleveland to Utah at the deadline, then waived by the Jazz. Rose likely could have signed with Minnesota earlier in the week, but wanted to wait until after the birth of his daughter, who was born just three days ago.

Now that he’s here, Rose feels as though he’s ready to contribute.

“I’ve been working out the entire time I’ve been out, just learning my routine, being a pro,” Rose said. “The only thing I’m missing now is the opportunity. Talking to Thibs, he sounds like he’s going to give me the opportunity, so it’s all about learning the guys and fitting in at the right time.”

Exactly how he’ll fit it is up in the air. Rose is the fourth point guard on the Wolves’ roster. Thibodeau said he likes the versatility and mentioned how Minnesota played two point guards last year in Kris Dunn and Tyus Jones. Of course, Jones and Jeff Teague have barely played together at all this season, so two-point guard lineups haven’t been the norm.

“I think I can play with anybody, to tell you the truth,” Rose said. “I know the game. I’m not a selfish player. I’m not here for stats or anything like that. I just want to win and help this team and franchise win.”